{"id":113231,"date":"2021-04-04T16:04:19","date_gmt":"2021-04-04T23:04:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=113231"},"modified":"2021-04-04T16:04:19","modified_gmt":"2021-04-04T23:04:19","slug":"digitalization-and-modernizing-trade-busienss-and-consumerism-for-the-citizen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2021\/04\/04\/digitalization-and-modernizing-trade-busienss-and-consumerism-for-the-citizen\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018\u2019DIGITALIZATION AND MODERNIZING TRADE BUSIENSS AND CONSUMERISM FOR THE CITIZEN\u2019\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sarath Wijesinghe former Chairman Consumer affairs Authority, President\u2019s Counsel, former Ambassador to UAE and Israel, President Ambassador\u2019s forum<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n

Introduction of digitalization during the festive season for sustainable\neducational framework<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

World is fast changing despite dangerous \u2018\u2019Covid19\u2019\u2019 – a Pandemic leading\ntowards success in Sri Lanka through education on vistas of prosperity and\nspender in order to digitalize the system and \nmodernize the  natural knowledge\nbased on human capital to suit the 21st<\/sup> century on the theme \u2018\u2019Towards\na perfect education that enriches wisdom and experiment\u2019\u2019 on  steps taken by the programme and vision of the\nPresident \u2018Gotabaya Rajapaksa\u2019 , in education and digitalization on introducing\na new platforms and programmes coupled with education, development and other\nsubjects  including trade and international\nissues- a leap frog from programme for the future. It is a salutary news that\nSri Lanka is keeping pace with the modern developments even during the festive\nseason easing the citizen pressurised with pandemic and economic hardships due\nto economic downturns world over. It is indeed salutary that digitalization and\nmodern international platforms are utilized in combating \u2018\u2019Covid 19\u2019\u2019 and\ndevelopment strategies including agriculture which is in the topic of the\nagenda today.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Festive season and prices of consumer items in the current legal regime<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Festive season is nearing and the talk of the town is the prices of\nconsumer items and the legal frame work which has not still been settled on\ntrade, business, competition and prices of items in demand. There is a leading\nnews by the Minister \u2018Bandula Gunawardena\u2019 that Consumer Protection act of 1979\nwill be amended when in fact it is repealed by the Consumer Affairs Authority\nAct no 9 of 2003 on 17th<\/sup> march 2003 with other existing legislation amalgamating\nthe current act which is a combination of Australian, Canadian, Modelled system\nwith basic English principles partly embodied in the act which is not a\nproperly effective piece of legislation in action today. It is the duty of the\nofficials to brief the minister on updates on legislature on making such\nimportant public statements which are the basis of current and future changes\non legislature, when the Minister again claims to change current old and\noutdated legal structure to be proactive modern and applicable for  the current developments. Minister has quite\ncorrectly stated that the current legislation is outdated and is a \u2018\u2019toothless\nlion\u2019\u2019 needing drastic changes and vigour with modern changes on the digital\nage with new international platforms and developments in line with the changes world\nover. Act no 9 of 2003 changed the existing (then) pattern and structure of\nsuccessful concept of price control still in force in the United Kingdom to the\ncurrent system of regularization of trade also based on competition law and\nmodern commercial law concepts, which has not been understood by the successive\nregimes attempted to implement the concept introduced by Hon \u2018Lalith\nAtulathmudali\u2019 then Minister of Trade who introduced the legislation with best\nof intentions which unfortunately unsuccessful on implementation.  Undisputedly change of the CAA act is badly\nneeded and the CAA during successive Chairmen has attempted to do so with no\nsuccess. It is advisable to seek the advice of the previous chairmen in the\nprocess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Drastic changes necessary <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not the time for immediate major drastic changes of law, and\nbest is  to give time and long space for\na complete and comprehensive study in the law and practice with international\ntrade and developments which are now interwoven and interlinked. What is news\ntoday is the controversy over coconut oil, paddy and rice prices, alleged sugar\nscam, and rising cost of living due to price rise of every consumer item the\nCAA has miserably failed to answer. How does the price structure operate in Sri\nLanka is very interesting. Trader can sell consumer prizes at any reasonable price\nprovided it is of good quality and of quality health standards in order to\nprovide the prize mark is exhibited on the show room cage for the citizen\nclearly seen identifying the items, whereas under the previous legislation\ncontrol of prices act 173 (which is repealed) prize mark was strictly adhered\nto on conditions on price control legislation with prize control system. Then\nwhat is the maximum prize? In the current prize regime and the fluctuation of\nthe prizes of paddy, rice, sugar, coconut ect are  issues confronted to the consumer which is\nbit hard to understand to follow. It is operative under S\/18 of the act when\nthe Minister and the Authority can determine the wholesale and retail prize if\nthe consumer item by a gazette notification with the condition that 18(2). No\nmanufacturer or trader shall increase the retail for wholesale price of any\ngoods of and services specified under subsection (1) except with the prior\nwritten approval of the authority. This is not effective and straight as the\nprice control procedure which is working well in UK which is repealed here in\n1979. Attempts have been made to change the consumer law on many previous\noccasions and today we have to be extra cautious due to the modern trends,\nintroduction of new international platforms and changes due to\ndigitalization   process which is ever growing with the mobile\npenetration of 110% of the population and the developments on the knowledge an practice\none learning when village children climbed water tanks for WIFI and the\nvillager got use to what\u2019s up for the payment of water and electricity bills through\nthe network of computer centres at aver junction. A good trend ever increasing\nin deed! We have to take note of all international trends and changes in\nframing if any legislation or rules on consumerism in future! School teachers\nconducted online classed with the help of their computer literate children –\nour future scientists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018\u2019Covid 19 \u2018\u2019- do not see and end so soon- let us be ready for any\neventuality <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018\u2019Covid 19\u2019\u2019 has changed the entire marketing developments and life of\nthe ordinary citizen including students and the working class. There is no guarantee\nthe \u2018\u2019Covid 19\u2019\u2019 will end or a time frame to end thereby we have to live on\nhopes and be prepared for any eventuality, so that future planning is near\nimpossible. Sri Lankans proved themselves to be adoptable to any adverse\nconditions or situations on facing for \u2018\u2019Covid 19\u2019\u2019 and hardships to citizen\nall of whom are consumers. Prices of consumer items are going up with \u2018\u2019Covid19\u2019\u2019\nin addition many other considerations which effects the consumer in all fronts,\nfood being the main consideration. Food that is available should be reasonably\nprized and of quality as requited by section 7 (a) (b) (c) and (d) which states\nthat it is the duty of the Authority to see that consumer is provided with\ngoods and services not hazardous to the consumers (section 4) protect against unfair\ntrade practices, adequate access to goods and provide redress against\nexploitation. All this has to be implemented by regulatory powers in part two\nof the Act. Anti-competitive practices are dealt with in the Consumer Affairs Council\nalso engaged in research and procedure on air trade practices. \u2018\u2019Covid 19\u2019\u2019\nalso has melded the attitudes of the citizen with better relations with the\ntrader consumer, and the regulator, for the trader and industrialist to be fair\nand the consumer to be smart sharp and careful to have the ideal combination of\nfair trader, alert consumer and able regulator. Consumer must change attitudes\nto be simple and smart to ascertain a) when to purchase, b) where to purchase\nand how to purchase items available. Consumer items to be purchased with required\nquantities and well planned for the day or week giving priority to health and\nquality. Fruits should not be purchased from long term stalls and imported\nfruits and vegetable should be avoided when we have such great verities- for\nexample Banana in UK has only one variety which is available with not much\ntaste when we have so many verities at very reasonable of taste and quality.\nFresh vegetables and fruits could be purchased cheap in markets. Cola should\nnot be consumed at any cost which is poisons  \nand expensive. Why consume bottled water in plastics bottles which can\nbe poisonous, and unhealthy, when we can have boiled and cold water in glass\nbottles which is cheap and healthy. Where you purchase consumer items is north\nworthy to note as the best would be \u2018Sathosa\u2019 when non-perishables can be\nstored and it is a good idea for the family to plan out the week or month as an\nexercise to save and be healthy. During goods online purchase can be practised\nwhich can extend to clothes and other consumer items for convenience and\nsafety. Now that the entire life style is changed due to \u2018\u2019Covid 19\u2019\u2019, it is\ntime to be prepared to go through it for an unspecified period with changes of\nfuture plans. Needless to state that all precautionary measures are to be\nfollowed to the last word for a long term solution and healthy stable and happy\nlife with the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bogus Sales, Congestion, perches of varied items and presents to family\nand friends<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consumer should be aware of rights, duties and the expectations from the\ntrader and the industrialist. It is the duty of the trader to give the consumer\ndignity, quality goods, and services, at a reasonable price indicated on the\nrack or the showcase. Consumer has the right to complain to the CAA or a branch\noffice which you will have access form 1919 system, or personal complain to the\nCAA office or a branch. Telephone and written complaints are accepted and the\nCAA is prompt on complaints by the consumer who the CAA and the trader\nconsiders as top priority. Consumer need not be hesitant to question or\ncomplain and it can be done in friendly manner as it is your right to do so.\nBogus sales are plenty and the consumer should use common sense in purchasing\nvery cheap items with hidden charges. It is advisable to take your own time in selecting\nthe gods as it is your money that you are parting with. Consumer should know the\nbasic needs rights and duties and expectations from the trader to be a\nsatisfied consumer. When you purchase electric and electronic items one should\nbe careful on the make, quality and the condition you may not be conversant\nwith when you have to be careful on the guarantee\/documents\/cards and specially\nthe letters in small letters in a language not known to you. It is advisable to\ndemand for a receipt for which you are entitled to and you can request more\ndetails on the receipt. Some traders will encourage you to give on credit on\nhire purchase schemes, and you should be careful in signing documents on\nconditions with small letters in a language not known to you, and giving your\npersonal information. It is advisable to seek the advice of a known family member\ngenerally conversant with trade practices. Always ask for the visiting card and\nother details of the trader and trading names with contact numbers. It is a\njoint effort of trader, consumer, regulator, and industrialist for a better\nconsumer regime and a fair trading regime. Especially during festive season be\nextreme careful of the 8000 drug addicts on the road in Colombo awaiting for\npreys which can be dangerous with their addictions on drugs. Always be in touch\nwith security forces and loved ones always during exposure to the traders and\npublic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quality of consumer items\/ Consumer Organisations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trader is bound to give items of quality to the consumer and finding the\nquality is an issue always unless it is tested by the standard bureau or tests\nby a group of consumers. It is imperative for the consumers to be a member of\none or more consumer organization which is very forceful in other parts of the\nworld. In the United Kingdom the consumer organizations are very powerful and\nthe trader is obliged to be consumer friendly based on the famous adage that\nconsumer dies no wrong and always correct. Consumer Affairs Authority is\nexpected to assist monitor and encourage consumer organizations as powerful\ngroups though less powerful compared to UK and other parts of the world. Then\nwhat about the rice prices, adulterated coconut oil, consumer items of inferior\nquality, and hiding a storing the consumer items refusing to sale are offence\nunder the consumer liable to be prosecuted. In UK and west the returned items\nare accepted but sadly not in Sri Lanka, when you can exchange if and when you\nneed to change or return. Consumer organizations should agitate for this right\nwith the help of CAA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digitalization modernization and modern trends on trade practices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The quality of goods services of food and consumer items are substandard,\nand of inferior quality due to lack of supervision and regulation by the CAA\nand other regulators such as TRCEL insurance, and Trade Ombudsman ,Public health\ninspectors local councils , health department, and many statutory bodies. With\nadvancement of technology Sri Lankans are at the doorsteps of digitalization\nwith mobile phones in everybody\u2019s hand (110% of the population) and   computer literacy of 40% ever increasing?\nYounger generation is now armed with excellent computer skills able to use\ncredit cards, advanced banking methods, and engaged in modern technology via\nface book and other social media  platforms for day to day office with computer\ncentres every corner on the road used by adults. However in Sri Lanka online\nshopping is not practiced often as in the United Kingdom where 40% of the consumer\nitems are purchased online when the practice is fast used in Sri Lanka too. Sri\nLanka  appears to be ready for a leap\nfrog  with the advanced  applicability of modern technology and day to\nday transections and day will not be too far when the majority of the\npopulation makes its purchases online. \u2018\u2019Uber\u2019\u2019 a worldwide digital application\ncatering to millions of people worldwide including Sri Lanka. These technologies\nare expanding to blow drying to food chains when majority of consumer\u2019s\npopulation purchases online. \u2018\u2019Uber\u2019\u2019 – a main digital  application \ncatering to millions of customers worldwide including Sri Lanka These\ntechs are  expanding  to bring blow drying and food items to door\nsteps which will revolutionize  online\npurchasing further.  Digitalization of\nEducation has commenced by setting digital classrooms which equips students and\nteachers with laptops and tabs how do you make digital regimes fairer in Sri\nLanka with outdated regulator CAA with fast developments on technology? We\nwatched on the television an impressive digital class room at \u2018\u2019Thurstan\nCollege\u2019\u2019 and we understand the trend is fast spreading. Are we in the digital age\nor in the door steps are the issues to be resolved today. Digitalization in the\nworld   is fast spreading  with adverse effects shedding billions of\njobs  with no  strategy from  the state and the leaders of the private\nsector to find alternate arrangements to use them as innovators as in Israel.\nDigital Market places are thriving in west has a foothold in Sri Lanka and the\npotential is very interestingly limited changes of lifestyles due to innovative\nchanges making life easier. However these changes include the risk of health other\nunexpected and undesirable changes in the economy. Will Sri Lanka be effected\nby the ripple effect or to what extent it will invade Sri Lanka is a matter of\ntime Digitalization developments depend on the vision considering the mobile\nand internet user are young. Experts predict \nsaturated digital market in Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka  in 10 year with innovative smart cities in\nline with Israel Hong Kong and UAE When \n40% of the global population is online with 750 million global internet\nusers Sri Lanka will be finding it difficult \nto join the world out of necessity ad compulsion. Chinese multinational\ncompany Alabama started by the owner an English Teacher Hangzhou is the biggest\nretailer with 100 British Brands and with 440 million active clients which is\nalso protected by the UK government  could be considered  as a guide lines for our digital mister\nIntroduction of the Mycroft 365 with cloud business transformation by commercial\nbanks  are in the It is good to be Careful\nanyway It is time to encourage and promote our young entrepreneurs in in with\nthe vision in the Israel youth on innovation taking them up to the world standards\non creative innovative Dhammika Perera supposed to be the richest man in Sri Lanka\nwho bought Singer recently said at the recent \npresentation in Colombo he has increased   business of singer by 38% after taking over\nand introducing online observed that \nonline trend was settling to a mixture of online and storage stores\nworldwide  again indicating the\nuncertainty of world business trends  at\nsuccessive speed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges and Way Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digitalization, Modernization, Trade and Consumerism is interconnected\nand interwoven with each other in the present context connected and depending\non each other. Trade and consumerism is a part and parcel of the life and digitalization\nand modernization are complementary. World is ever changing with challenges\nthey are faced with especially on \u2018\u2019Covid19\u2019\u2019 pandemic when village bravely\nfaced by using what\u2019s app to make payments, \nchildren climbed water tanks for WIFI and teachers were guided and\ntrained by children for distant teaching on line are proof that Sri Lanka and\nSri Lankans are adoptable to any challenges. Invasion of international digital\nplatforms to Sri Lanka is inevitable and be ready to accept and meet challenges\nwithout changing ourselves culturally and age old traditions and habits we are\nlived with. Consumerism is not an alien concept to us when we had the Badulla\n\u2018\u2019TAM\u2019\u2019 in 1857 AD, with instructions to the consumer and trader along with\nother 4000 \u2018\u2019TAMS\u2019\u2019 found on excavations, to show our past glory and education\non the subject. Therefore it is time for us to give and interpret the correct\nmeaning on consumerism to have the balancing livelihood of consumer, trader,\nregulator and the industrialist. We hope and expect the citizen be happy\ncontended and extend peace goodwill and loving kindness to the world over.\nSarath7@hotmail.co.uk<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sarath Wijesinghe former Chairman Consumer affairs Authority, President\u2019s Counsel, former Ambassador to UAE and Israel, President Ambassador\u2019s forum Introduction of digitalization during the festive season for sustainable educational framework World is fast changing despite dangerous \u2018\u2019Covid19\u2019\u2019 – a Pandemic leading towards success in Sri Lanka through education on vistas of prosperity and spender in order […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[77],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-113231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sarath-wijesinghe"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=113231"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113231\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=113231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=113231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=113231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}